Micrometer-calipers.



P. SPALDING.

MIGROMETER GALIPBRS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 7, 1909.

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'UNTTED STATES PATENT OFFTCE.

FRANK SPALDING, OF PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, ASSIGNOR TO BROWN & SHARPE MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND.

MICROMETER-CALIPERS.

inermi.

Specication of Letters Patent.

Application filed June 7, 1909.

Patented Alle. 22, 1911.

Serial No. 500,590.

To ell 'whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK SPALnrNe, a citizen oit' the United States, residing at Providence, in the county of Providence and State et' Rhode Island, have invented a new and usei'ul Improvement in Micrometer-Calipers, et which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to micrometer calipers, and deals particularly with direct reading calipers in which a numerical index shows through a `lixed outer sleeve, and indicates the fractional parts of the unit of measure.

The object ot the invention is to construct a .micrometer caliper in which the index barrels are normally locked against accidental rotation, and are only released when the proper progressive rotative step is to be made.

It is also an object to provide a micrometer caliper in which the tine read ing head is located at the outer end of the barrel, where it is more readily accessible, and where its position permits a larger construction oit" the element with relation to the barrel and consequently permits a coarser graduation as compared to the tineness oit the reading.

Vith the above objects and the general improved construction o't the n'iicrometer caliper in view, the device will be herein after fully described and set forth, re'terence being had to the accompanying draw ings, which form a part et this specilication7 and in which,

Figure l is a plan view o't the micrometer caliper. Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view showing the index barrel. Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the index barrel rotating means. Fig. 4L is a sectional view showing the barrel locking mechanism. Fig. 5

an end view of one of the index barrels. Fig. 6 is a view of one o't the locking bars.

Referring more particularly to said draw ings, l is the U-shaped yoke member oil the usual caliper, which carries the anvil Q on one arm, and has the other arm formed with a hollow cylinder 3. Said cylinder 3 carries the longitudinally movable spindle 4l. being bored to form a journal 'for said spindle at 5, and having the remainder of its length bored to a larger caliber. At its outer end said cylinder is fitted with a bushing 6, which is removably ixed in said cylinder by being threaded therein, and is interiorly threaded to receive the micrometrically threaded portion 7 of the spindle Ll. A take-up nut 8 is provided to screw on the outside o the bushing 6 :tor the purpose of taking up any wear incidental to the use oi the micrometer. The removability ci the bushing 6 from the cylinder 3 renders the pitching ot' this screw, upon which the accuracy ot the instrument largely depends, a matter o't much greater convenience and accuracy than when the cylinder portion must be directly threaded. The outer remaining portion ot the spindle Il; is provided as indicated with an annular llange t), screw threaded portionsI 10, l1 and l2, spaced to leave straight cylindrical portions 13, '1 4 and '15.

The cylinder il carries upon its length a slidahle sleeve lo, which has a reduced portien at one end, an interior shoulder l?, and a hearing portion 't7'. Said bearing portion 17 is splined at t8 and 18 to operate in grooves l5) and '19 :termed in the cylinder Sl. to perluit the longitudinal movement oit said sleeve thereon, but to prevent retation thereo't. 'lhe opposite end of said sleeve lo is supported by an annulus Q0 which (its within and is suitably fastened as by screws to the sleeve. Said annulus also forms a hearing ior the spindle land iucloses the same around the cylindrical portion 1li thereol. A loclt-nut, threaded on serew-tl'iread ll, and a lock-nut 22, seated in a recess 22 on the opposite face ot annulus 21), and threaded on screw thread 10, locates said annulus and consequently the sleeve lo properly with relation to the spindle 4l. By this connection said spindle, in its longitudinal moven'lents, carries with it the sleeve 1G.

l'igidly secured to the cylindrical portion 15 et the spindle so as to rotate therewith, is a head 23. Said head is seated by a knurled nut 241- threaded on the threaded portion '1Q against a shoulder 'l2' and is spaced 'from the annulus :2O and lock-nut 2l by a washer 25. Said head is provided with a longitudinal flange 20 .which projects over and closely surrounds the end ot the sleeve lo. Said flange is tapered near its edge to Yterm a space for gradllations 27. rlhese graduations are the tine readings et the instrument and are adapted to coincide with a zero or base mark 2S extended longitudinally of the sleeve 16. A set ot index openings 16 are provided through which the numeraled graduations ot' a series ot index barrels, hereinafter described, are shown.

Located within the sleeve 16 and rotative Vtherein are three index barrels 29, 30 and 31. Said index barrels comprise annular collars fitting closely the interior of sleeve 16 and abutting one another, with means to cause the proper progressive movement as hereinafter set forth. Each barrel is graduated exteriorly into twenty divisions which are numbered in two sets, that is successively from 1 to O or 10, and again to complete the circumference ot the barrel. Tndex barrel, 31 is provided with an inwardly extending flange 31 which seats upon the cylindrical portion 13 of spindle. 4, and bears against t-he annular flange 9. Said barrel is locked in this relation bymeans of lock nut 22, above mentioned. Through the shell ot' the barrel 31 is formed an opening 32 which carries slidably therein a pin 33. In the en d of barrel 30 is formed a series of conical depressions 34, corresponding in position to the graduations on the periphery of the barrel which are adapted to be engaged by a conical point formed on the end ot pin 33. The opposite end of pin 33 projects beyond the end ot index barrel 31, and into an annular space 35 between annulus 20 and barrel 31. Said annular space however, is interrupted by diametrically disposed cam surfaces 36 and 37 formed on the face of the annulus 2O and in the path oflsaid pin 33. Thus, as the spindle is rotated, and with it the barrel 31, the end of said pin will be brought into Contact with said cam surfaces 36 and 37, and caused to move endwise through the barrel. This will bring the end thereof into contact with one of said depressions 34 in the barrel 30, thereby coupling said barrels to rotate together. This coupled relation will be maintained until the cam surface is passed when the pin will be free to ride out of engagement with said barrel 30, and release the same since the end of the pin and the depressions 34 are correspondingly beveled to permit the pin to ride out of the latter, when no resistance is oilered to keep the pin and depression in engagement. At the same time that pin 33 engages barrel 30, a barrel locking mechanism, hereinafter described, unlocks barrel 30 from sleeve 16 to permit the rotation thereof. The cam surfaces are formed of sutlicient length to cause the barrel 30 to move one step or division.

The coupling arrangement between barrels 30 and 29 is slightly different. Barrel 30 is provided with a longitudinal opening 38 Fig. 3 which extends only partially through the barrel. A pin 39 having a 'quently index barrel 31.

conically pointed end is seated in said opening and bears upon a coil spring 40, by which it is normally pressed outwardly. Thus, the pin normally engages in the openings or depressions 34 formed in barrel 29, but said barrel is prevented from rotation until properly unlocked or released from the above mentioned locking iechanism, and the pin 39 merely rides in and out of depressions 34 as barrel 30 rotates.

The locking mechanism above mentioned is provided to prevent the barrels from rotating until the proper instant of progression. Each of .barrels 30 and 31 is provided with a peripheral cam groove 41 and 42, which are substantial annuli, except for the otlsets 4l and 42. 43 and 44 are locking bars which are longitudinally slidable in a groove 45 formed in the sleeve 16, and have protuberances 43 and 44 formed to operate in said cam grooves 41 and 42. Upon the ends of said locking bars are the upwardly-projecting protubcrances 46 and 47 which normally engage one of a series ot notches 4S and 49 formed in the peripheral edges of barrels 29 and 30. Thus, when barrel 31 is rotated, barrel 30 is locked to sleeve 16 until offset 42 carries the protuberance 44 and with it the lock bar, rearwardly, thereby disengaging protuberance 47 trom notch 49. This occurs at the same instant that pin 33 engages a depression 34 in barrel 30, and said barrel is progressed one step, or as long otfset 42 maintains locking bar 44 in its retracted position. The cooperative act-ion between barrels 29 and 30 is the same as between barrels 30 and 31 with the exception, as above set forth, that the rotating pin is in constant contact with barrel 29 and rides i and out of depressions 34 until locking bar 43 releases said barrel 29.

The operation of my device will be evident. The device for instance, is graduated to read to a hundred thousandth part of an inch. The head 23, rotated about sleeve 16, carries with it the spindle 4 and conse- On the head are read the tenths of inches. The next numeral appearing after the tirst tenth thus disclosed will show in the opening 16 over barrel 31, registering the nearest ten thousandth. Tt is evident that as the barrel 31 progresses and tinally carries in its action barrel 30, the said barrel will register the thousandth parts and similarly, barrel 29 will register' the hundredth parts oit an inch. Then the divisions of barrel 31 rest on either side of the zero mark on sleeve 16, as for instance, halt way between O and 1, it is evident that a halt of a ten-thousandth part is being registered, or tive one-hundred thousandths of an inch. Thus the device is capable of the inest degree of measurement in a positive and accurate manner.

lVhen it is desired to measur'e thickness or diameter, the head Z3 is rotated to the lett until the spindle 4l is ret'acted a sullicient; distance to allow t'ne insertion ot the article to be measlfired, after which the head is rotated in the opposite direction until the spindle b ars with proper tirmness against the said article. The device is then in position to be r xad tor the thickness ot th artiele, and the various degrees o't n'ieasurenlent are read Vtl'ieretrom as above directed.

llaving thus described my invention, l claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent;-

l. A micrometer faliper, comprising', in combination with a cylimler, a spindle threaded in said cylimler, z sleeve surroumling said cylinder, indicating' means `[housed in said sleeve, to register the micrometer measurements, means for locking said indifating m ans to said sleeve, cams .tor actuating said locking means and means tor :ausing said indicating means to register said micrometer measurements.

2. A micrometer caliper, in combinz'ttion Vwith a cylinder, a spindle threaded in said cylinder, a sleeve sisnrrounding said cylinder, indicating mzans housed in said sleeve to register the micrometer measureimnts, locking bars slidable in Said sleeve, ams 'tor controllingv the rotation ot said indi :ating m \,ans, and m vans lor causing said imlicating means to register said micrometer measurements.

,it micrometer caliper comprising in combination with a cylinde a spindle thraded in said cylinder, a sleeve slidable on said cylinder and mo'able with said spindle, indicating means in operative connection with said spindle for registering' the micrometer measurements, m ans for locle ing' said indi 'ating means and cams :tor actuating' said locking' means.

4. micrometer caliper comprising in conibination `with a cylinder, a spindle threaded in said cylinder, a, sleeve slidable on said cylinder and movable with said spindle, indicating n1 2ans in operative connection with said spindle 'tor registering the micrometer measurements, means 'tof antomatically locking said indi :ating m \ans and cooperating' means for releasing' said indi fating' means` said automatic locking means comprising' slide bars and fams Yto' actuating' said slide bars.

i micronieter taliper comprising' in combination with a cylinder, a spindle threaded in said cylinder, a sleeve slidable on ,'aid cylinder, indi :ating nieans in said sleeve, head 'for operating' said spindle and indicating' means, means 'tor normally locking' said indicating' mans, and mans 'for actuating; said indicating' means and cope 'ating means for unlocking' said indicating mechanism.

(3. A micrometel' caliper comprising in combination with a cylinder, a spindle threaded. in said cylinder, a sleeve slid-able on said cylinder, a head Aarried by said spindle lior indicating); micrometer measurements, a series oli ,graduated barrels adapted to register sub-divisions ot measurements and contained in said sleeve, means lior normally locking' said barrels, and means cooper: ling' with said locking' means to reliase and progressively move said barrels.

T. .i micrometer caliper comprising?r in combination with a cylinder, a spindle threaded in said cylinder. a sleeve slidable on said cylinder, a h wad l'or indie: ting; mieromet'er miasurementr, a series ot barrels tarried within said sleeve and bearing on said cylinder, said barrels having' g'adle ations thereon, means l'or l'olatively progressinn' said barrels, said head also beinel construt-,ted 'tor operating said barrels and spin- (lle, means :tor normally locking said bar rels against rotation, mzans l'or releasing said barrels at interv: ls, and means :tor progressing' said barrels at corresponding intervals.

S. A micrometer caliper comprising in combination with a cylinder, a spindle threaded in said cylinder, a sleeve slidable on said cylimler, a plurality oli barrels inelosed in said sleeve, pins carried by some ot said barrels, means to cause said pins to coupli said barrels together, lot-,kine bars normally locking' some ot said barrels ae'ainst rotation` and means to unlock said barrels at periods.

t). it micrometer caliper comprising in combination with a cylinder` a spindle threaded in said cylinder, a sleeve slidable on said cylinder, a plurality olx barrels inclosed in said sleeve, pins carried by some ot said barrels, means to cause said pins to couple said barrels together, loclcinn' bars normally locking' some ol said barrels against rotation, and .means 'formed on one barrel Vto unlock an adjacent barrel at predetermined inter fals.

lt). micrometer caliper coim'irising;` in combination with a cylinder, a spindle threaded in said cylint'ler, a sleeve slidable on said cylinder, a plurality ot barrels inclosed 'in said sleeve, pins carried by all but one ot said barrels, means to cause said pins to couple said barrels together, a locking,r bar locking said one barrel, and means rendering' said locking' bar operative by the operation olt the next preceding` barrel.

l1. A. micrometer caliper comprising` in combination with a cylinder, a spindle threaded in said cylinder. a sleeve slidable on said cylinder, a plurality ot barrels inclosed in said sleeve, pins carried by a part o'l said barrels, means to cause said pins to couple said barl'els together, lockingr bars normally locking a part of said barrels against rotation7 and means to unlock Said name to this specification in Jche presence of barrels at predetermined periods, said locktWo subscribing Witnesses. ing bars having lugs engaging notches in FRANK SPALDINGL the locked barrels and having lugs operating in cam grooves formed in the operating barrels.

In testimony whereof I have signed my `Wtnesses ADA E. HAGERTY, J. A. MILLER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

